Written by Lisa Muirimi
Kenyans across all 47 counties are bracing for prolonged water shortages after a report revealed that 60% of the country’s water supply fails to reach consumers.
The Water Services Regulatory Board’s 2022-2023 performance report highlights significant water loss due to leakages, theft, outdated infrastructure, and inefficiency.
Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa expressed alarm at the figures, noting they are far above the national average of 43%.
“No water service provider among the 47 counties has attained a non-revenue water level within the acceptable benchmark of less than 25%,” he said on Friday.
The inefficiencies have not only deepened water shortages but also driven up costs, leaving Kenyans to grapple with limited supply.
Water Principal Secretary Julius Korir previously estimated annual losses of Ksh10.2 billion due to poor infrastructure.
Despite the setbacks, the government has mobilized Ksh 36 billion between 2019 and 2022 to implement water projects aimed at increasing water and sanitation coverage.
CS Mugaa outlined ambitious goals to boost water coverage from 53% to 80% and sanitation from 17% to 43% by 2027.
Urgent reforms are needed to address inefficiencies and prevent the worsening of water scarcity, which threatens households and businesses nationwide.
